Rachel stays mum on engagement (+pics)

KELLY HODEL/Waikato Times

RING OF CONFIDENCE: Rachel Hunter keeping mum on engagement rumours.

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Rachel Hunter was in the Waikato to talk books and ice cream. But the question on everyone's lips was, 'Are they or aren't they?'

Sporting a massive diamond rock on her engagement finger, the Kiwi former supermodel and her partner, Canadian ice hockey player Jarret Stoll, all but confirmed rumours they are engaged.

The couple visited Hautapu School yesterday, along with Hunter's father Wayne and her children Renee, 16, and Liam, 13.

It was the first visit to New Zealand for Stoll, 26, and he liked what he saw. "I do love New Zealand, it's very nice ... you have great ice cream too."

One of the country's most glamorous exports, a relaxed Hunter, 38, was at the school to officially launch a new initiative with the Storylines Trust and Tip Top to promote the importance of reading to children.

More than 2000 schools are being encouraged to apply for a small parcel of free books for school libraries through the trust.

Sitting on the mat, Hunter read several stories to the children. "I used to read for two hours a night, so much ... it's an important part of having fun and growing up," she told the children.

"What I love about books is the whole fantasy thing, an unknown world."

One little girl summed up the feeling of the throng of waiting media when she sidled up to Hunter and told her "I like your ring".

When one reporter told her it was a very nice ring and asked whether she had anything to tell the country, Hunter replied with a mega watt smile "no, not yet".

But an unsuspecting Stoll was caught on his way to the car. When asked about the engagement rumours, Stoll responded, "Is it out?" - sparking great media excitement.

Hunter's manager, former All Black Andy Haden, could be heard groaning "you're causing a storm Jarret" before the group headed off to Hunter's next appointment, calf-feeding at a nearby dairy farm.

Hunter was last in the Waikato in March, when she visited champion stallion Zabeel at Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud.

She caused a stir back in 1995 when she visited Te Rapa race course with her then-husband and father of her children, rocker Rod Stewart.

She may have come a long way from the 17-year-old Auckland girl who starred in the trumpet ads for Tip Top, but Hunter confirmed a Kiwi classic, hokey pokey, is still her favourite flavour.

- © Fairfax NZ News